Juliano, L., & Griffiths, R. (2004). A critical review of caffeine withdrawal: Empirical validation of symptoms and signs, incidence, severity, and associated features.Psychopharmacology,176(1), 1-29. doi: 10.1007/s00213-004-2000-x
Introduction:
When people stop using caffeine, they have several symptoms such as headaches. These symptoms are not significant enough to bring attention to caffeine.
Withdrawal symptoms have been reported even at low dose consumption.
This study was performed in order to determine if people go through caffeine withdrawal after consuming caffeine. The results were determined by using tests that accessed the individuals for performance and symptoms.
Methods
62 adults participated in the experiment after being screened for good health. Some would receive a placebo and some would receive actual caffeine.
Of the 62 adults, the average weight was 65 kg and the average age was 30 years.
Study Design
The participants performed a number of tests at the start and finish of each day. During meals, the placebo and caffeine were consumed.
The pills were given in capsule form each day.
Assessments of Withdrawal
Several hours after administer the pills tests were ran in the form of questionnaires, all of which were used to access different reactions to the withdrawal effects. All participants completed the tasks.
In addition to questionnaires, participants performed psycho-motor speed and cognitive performance tasks.
Dietary Restrictions
A consistent diet was maintained during the course of the trial and medication was not used.
Analyses of Salivary Caffeine
Five milliliters of saliva were collected from each participant and analyzed. The caffeine present in the participants taking caffeine was higher.
Statistical Analysis
The results were analyzed and compared to variance measurements.
If the results were abnormal, different variables were taken into account.
A chi-square test was performed because some of the participants cheated and used medication.
Results
Those who did not consume caffeine performed different than those who did.
The symptoms that were present during the trials were accessed and found that those who had the placebo had more headaches.
More participants cheated by using medication when they were taking the placebo.
Side affects such as sleepiness were more common in those that took the placebo.
After one year, subjects were interviewed that were on the placebo. They claimed after meals the symptoms started to occur.
Discussion:
This experiment shows that caffeine withdrawal occurs and can cause symptoms.
The participants on caffeine consumed an average amount of caffeine for a daily person.
Caffeine withdrawal should not be taken lightly as it can cause negative symptoms. If consistent withdrawal symptoms occur daily, one may be recommended to stop drinking caffeine.
Caffeine withdrawal can be more severe than the trials have shown and many people may suffer from this.
Juliano, L., & Griffiths, R. (2004). A critical review of caffeine withdrawal: Empirical validation of symptoms and signs, incidence, severity, and associated features. Psychopharmacology, 176(1), 1-29. doi: 10.1007/s00213-004-2000-x
Introduction:
When people stop using caffeine, they have several symptoms such as headaches. These symptoms are not significant enough to bring attention to caffeine.
Withdrawal symptoms have been reported even at low dose consumption.
This study was performed in order to determine if people go through caffeine withdrawal after consuming caffeine. The results were determined by using tests that accessed the individuals for performance and symptoms.
Methods
62 adults participated in the experiment after being screened for good health. Some would receive a placebo and some would receive actual caffeine.
Of the 62 adults, the average weight was 65 kg and the average age was 30 years.
Study Design
The participants performed a number of tests at the start and finish of each day. During meals, the placebo and caffeine were consumed.
The pills were given in capsule form each day.
Assessments of Withdrawal
Several hours after administer the pills tests were ran in the form of questionnaires, all of which were used to access different reactions to the withdrawal effects. All participants completed the tasks.
In addition to questionnaires, participants performed psycho-motor speed and cognitive performance tasks.
Dietary Restrictions
A consistent diet was maintained during the course of the trial and medication was not used.
Analyses of Salivary Caffeine
Five milliliters of saliva were collected from each participant and analyzed. The caffeine present in the participants taking caffeine was higher.
Statistical Analysis
The results were analyzed and compared to variance measurements.
If the results were abnormal, different variables were taken into account.
A chi-square test was performed because some of the participants cheated and used medication.
Results
Those who did not consume caffeine performed different than those who did.
The symptoms that were present during the trials were accessed and found that those who had the placebo had more headaches.
More participants cheated by using medication when they were taking the placebo.
Side affects such as sleepiness were more common in those that took the placebo.
After one year, subjects were interviewed that were on the placebo. They claimed after meals the symptoms started to occur.
Discussion:
This experiment shows that caffeine withdrawal occurs and can cause symptoms.
The participants on caffeine consumed an average amount of caffeine for a daily person.
Caffeine withdrawal should not be taken lightly as it can cause negative symptoms. If consistent withdrawal symptoms occur daily, one may be recommended to stop drinking caffeine.
Caffeine withdrawal can be more severe than the trials have shown and many people may suffer from this.